Back on the warpath

The PTI is trying to muster support of other opposition parties to keep the PML-N government under pressure on the Panama Leaks issue

Back on the warpath

Opposition political parties are back on the warpath against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s aides have reportedly advised him to get tough with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The PTI top leaders are focusing on one-point agenda this time to put up a big show to pressurise the ruling party to develop consensus on the terms of reference for the proposed judicial commission to probe the Panama Leaks; a move many believe could put the ruling party in trouble in the coming months.

Alongside, the PTI has is attempting to keep the opposition united for successful execution of the goals -- to ensure accountability of PM Sharif’s children who have reportedly established offshore companies as well as to eradicate corruption from the country.

Amid political uncertainty in the country, many experts believe, the PTI wants to steal the show by bringing all opposition parties on a single platform against the PML-N. "The level of frustration among the masses has reached its climax. People want accountability of the corrupt," says Dr Arif Alvi, PTI MNA from Karachi.

Quoting figures of the embezzled money, worth Rs241 billion in Sindh in 2015, Dr Alvi claims all opposition political parties stand united on the issue of Panama Leaks investigation. "We will not let Sharif get away with it. People want across the board accountability," he adds.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faces the Herculean task of fighting multiple cases filed by the PTI and PPP against him. Political experts believe the legal battle may go to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the coming weeks.

When asked how the PTI is playing its cards on these issues, political commentator Zahid Hussain says, "It will depend on the support extended by other political parties to Imran Khan for setting up a fresh challenge for the PML-N. If Imran Khan manages to establish a powerful alliance, with the PPP, in particular, then it would be a big show, which would force the government to meet the demands of opposition parties".

Read also: A party (or not) to agitation

And, he adds, if the alliance remains intact in the coming months, "PM Sharif, whose health is not good, can come under pressure, where the PPP will have an opportunity to regain its momentum in South Punjab, as it was wiped out in the last general elections".

PTI Punjab President, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary says, "We will devise final strategy on July 20 on how to mobilise public against the rulers’ wrongdoings."

The Awami National Party, which is a part of the opposition alliance, has dropped a hint that it would part ways if political parties go for street agitation. "It’s not a viable option and might harm the democratic process," says ANP MNA Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.

Political commentator, Hasan Askari Rizvi, thinks otherwise. According to him, the PTI could show good street power with the help of Dr Tahir ul Qadri, who has already announced protest against the government. "If the opposition parties succeed in bringing people out into the streets and against the government then the ruling party could be in trouble. But it depends how political parties play their cards in the coming days. The situation is not clear yet".

He conditions the PTI’s victory with its successful cooperation with other political parties in the opposition. "If Khan goes solo then there are least chances that the party would make a difference in the coming months".

Meanwhile, many in the ruling party say they want to resolve all the issues amicably. However, a senior cabinet member makes it clear that there would be no defensive approach against the PTI this time.

Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary, PTI Punjab President, says his party is going to hold a party national convention in Islamabad on July 20. Sharing PTI’s strategy for a campaign to force the government for forming an independent commission to probe Panama Leaks, PTI Punjab President says, "We will devise final strategy on July 20 on how to mobilise public against the rulers’ wrongdoings."

As part of the strategy, "PTI top leadership will address High Courts Bar Associations in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Multan," he reveals. Then in the first week of August, PTI will arrange a series of party meetings in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to educate the masses about how to show street power against PML-N," Chaudhary adds.

To keep this momentum intact, "PTI leadership will hold rallies against bad governance in all divisions of Punjab province. This street agitation against Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government will start on August 14," he adds.

PTI plans a big rally at Mina-e-Pakistan on that day. "The movement will continue till Eid-ul-Azha. Then we will announce our next strategy. Besides this, we will also pull all parties together in this campaign against PML-N," he says.

Back on the warpath